Sustainable Construction and Building Materials: Microstructure, Mechanical Performance, and Long-Term Durability
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 55
Special Issue Editors
Interests: structural durability; low-carbon cementitious materials; utilization of solid waste resources; structural reinforcement and maintenance
Interests: theory and technology for building protection; structural durability; engineering structure protection technology in mining subsidence areas; fire and seismic resistance of concrete structures
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The demand for sustainable construction materials is growing rapidly, driven by the global need to reduce environmental impacts and enhance the longevity of built environments. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research on sustainable building materials, with a focus on their microstructure, mechanical performance, and long-term durability. By exploring innovative approaches in material development, processing, and design, this Special Issue seeks to address the challenges and opportunities associated with the next generation of construction materials.
Sustainable construction materials are being developed to address a range of performance criteria, including strength, durability, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. Recent advancements in materials such as cement-based composites, geopolymer-based materials, and bio-based alternatives have shown promising improvements in key properties like shrinkage, water resistance, and thermal insulation. Moreover, these materials often incorporate industrial by-products and waste materials, which contribute to a circular economy and significantly reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects.
In addition to material innovations, understanding the microstructural properties of these materials is essential for optimizing their mechanical performance and ensuring long-term durability. This Special Issue invites research papers and review articles that explore novel techniques for characterizing the microstructure of construction materials and their correlation with mechanical properties. Topics of interest include the effects of nanoscale additives, fibers, and mineral-based modifiers on material performance, as well as the development of new testing methods to assess durability under real-world conditions.
Furthermore, we are particularly interested in studies that investigate the environmental sustainability of construction materials, including life cycle assessments (LCA), embodied energy calculations, and performance in extreme environmental conditions (e.g., high humidity, temperature fluctuations, and freeze–thaw cycles). As the construction industry strives for a low-carbon future, these factors play a critical role in determining the overall sustainability and longevity of building materials.
This Special Issue seeks to bring together the latest research in material science, engineering, and environmental sustainability to provide a platform for developing innovative solutions for the future of construction. We welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines, including civil, materials, and environmental engineering, as well as interdisciplinary studies that explore new avenues for enhancing the sustainability of the built environment.
Dr. Caifeng Lu
Prof. Dr. Guanglin Yuan
Dr. Qingsong Zhou
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- sustainable materials
- reinforcement and repair
- microstructure
- mechanical performance
- long-term durability
- cement-based composites
- geopolymer materials
- environmental impact
- circular economy
- life cycle assessment (LCA)
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
